AuPairSync · Free Template
Au Pair Family Handbook
Everything your au pair needs to feel at home and do great work
The Family
Prepared: | Updated:
Table of Contents
- Welcome & Family Introduction
- Emergency Contacts
- Daily Schedule & Routines
- Children's Profiles
- House Rules & Boundaries
- Kitchen & Meals
- Household Tasks
- Transportation & Car Rules
- Technology & Screen Time
- Time Off, Pay & Benefits
- Communication Expectations
- Acknowledgement & Sign-Off
1. Welcome & Family Introduction
Welcome to our home! We are so glad you are here. This handbook is designed to help you feel confident and informed from your very first day. Please read it carefully and ask us any questions — there are no silly questions.
About Our Family
Parent 1 name & role: _______________________________________________
Parent 2 name & role (if applicable): ___________________________________
Children's names & ages: ________________________________________________
Pets: ___________________________________________________________________
Languages spoken at home: _______________________________________________
Our Values & Family Culture
Describe your family's values, routines, and what's most important to you (e.g., kindness, respect, punctuality, learning): ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
Your Room & Private Space
Your room is your private space. You are welcome to decorate it as you like. Please let us know if anything needs to be repaired or replaced.
Your room location: _____________________________________________________
Wi-Fi password: ________________________________________________________
Your own bathroom? Yes / No If shared, shared with: ____________________
2. Emergency Contacts
Emergency Numbers
Emergency services (police / fire / ambulance): 911 (US) / 112 (EU) / ________
Poison Control: ________________________________________________________
Parent 1 mobile: _______________________________________________________
Parent 2 mobile: _______________________________________________________
Backup emergency contact (neighbor / relative): _________________________
Children's pediatrician name & phone: ____________________________________
Nearest hospital / urgent care: __________________________________________
Home address (for emergency responders): _________________________________
If there is ever a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately, then call us. Do not wait to call us first.
3. Daily Schedule & Routines
Weekday Schedule
| Time | Activity | Your Role |
|---|
| ___ : ___ | Morning wake-up | |
| ___ : ___ | Breakfast | |
| ___ : ___ | School drop-off | |
| ___ : ___ | Your time / household tasks | |
| ___ : ___ | School pick-up | |
| ___ : ___ | After-school snack & activities | |
| ___ : ___ | Homework time | |
| ___ : ___ | Dinner | |
| ___ : ___ | Bedtime routine | |
| ___ : ___ | Your workday ends | |
Weekend Routine
Typical weekend structure and your expected involvement: _________________ ________________________________________________________________________
Nap / Rest Times (if applicable)
Nap schedule for younger children: _____________________________________
4. Children's Profiles
Fill in one sub-section per child. Photocopy as needed.
Child 1
Name: _________________________ Date of birth: _________________________
Allergies (food, medication, environmental): _______________________________
Medications (name, dosage, timing): _____________________________________
Favourite activities & interests: ___________________________________________
Fears / triggers to be aware of: ____________________________________________
Comfort objects / routines: _________________________________________________
School name & address: __________________________________________________
Teacher's name & contact: ______________________________________________
Child 2
Name: _________________________ Date of birth: _________________________
Allergies: _______________________________________________________________
Medications: ____________________________________________________________
Favourite activities: ______________________________________________________
Fears / triggers: _________________________________________________________
School name & address: __________________________________________________
5. House Rules & Boundaries
General principle: When in doubt, ask — we would rather you check with us than guess.
Guest Policy
Can you have guests at the house? When? ___________________________________
Can you have overnight guests? _________________________________________
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours in the house: ________________________________________________
Areas of the Home
Rooms that are off-limits to you or the children: ___________________________
Smoking / Alcohol
Smoking policy: _________________________________________________________
Alcohol policy: _________________________________________________________
Social Media
Posting photos of the children on social media: Allowed / Not Allowed / Ask first
6. Kitchen & Meals
Groceries
Grocery budget (if any): ________________________________________________
Preferred grocery store: _________________________________________________
How to get reimbursed for grocery expenses: ________________________________
Your Food
Are you welcome to eat food from the kitchen? Yes / No / Ask first
Shelves or sections reserved for your food: _________________________________
Cooking
Are you expected to cook for the children? How often? ______________________
Children's favourite meals: ________________________________________________
Foods the children dislike or cannot eat: ___________________________________
Kitchen Appliances
- Coffee machine — how to use: _____________________________________
- Dishwasher — loading/unloading expectations: _______________________
- Washer & dryer — how to use: ____________________________________
7. Household Tasks
Your primary role is childcare. The tasks below are in addition to childcare and should be done during your working hours when the children are at school or napping.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|
| Children's laundry | | |
| Children's bedrooms | | |
| Kitchen tidying after meals | | |
| Dishwasher | | |
| Vacuuming / mopping | | |
| Grocery shopping | | |
| Other: _________________ | | |
What Is NOT Expected of You
Tasks that are not part of your duties: _____________________________________
8. Transportation & Car Rules
Do you have use of a family car? Yes / No
Car make, model & licence plate: __________________________________________
Car rules (fuel, mileage, parking): _________________________________________
Car insurance info location: _____________________________________________
What to do in case of an accident: ________________________________________
Public transport / bike allowance: ________________________________________
9. Technology & Screen Time
Children's Screen Time
Allowed screen time per day: _____________________________________________
Allowed apps / channels / shows: _________________________________________
Devices the children may use: ____________________________________________
Your Device Use While Working
Phone use policy during working hours: ___________________________________
10. Time Off, Pay & Benefits
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Weekly stipend / pocket money | |
| Payment day & method | |
| Regular days off per week | |
| Paid vacation days per year | |
| How to request time off | |
| Sick day policy | |
| Language course (if offered) | |
| Transport pass / contribution | |
| Health insurance details | |
11. Communication Expectations
Primary communication app / method: _____________________________________
How quickly should you respond to messages? _____________________________
Weekly check-in meeting (day & time): _____________________________________
How to raise concerns or ask for help: _____________________________________
Our commitment to you: We will give you regular, honest feedback and respect your time off. We want this arrangement to work well for everyone in our home.
12. Acknowledgement & Sign-Off
By signing below, we confirm that we have both read and understood the contents of this handbook, and agree to the arrangements described.
Host Parent Signature & Date
Host Parent Signature & Date